Chestnut Grove Academy: Real Life at Chestnut Grove: Homschooling with a Toddler

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Real Life at Chestnut Grove: Homschooling with a Toddler

I’m no rookie to having toddlers when homschooling, but I wouldn’t say I’m a pro either. Each toddler is so different, and well, let’s just say Baby Girl (K) gives me a run for my money in this department!

I’m still working trial and error to find what is a healthy homeschool balance when it comes to keeping her entertained and getting schooling done (without losing my mind).

Many a mornings have consisted of taking her down from chairs and tables multiple times, which lead to fits being thrown – (The Bad and The Ugly)

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I’ve resorted to some TV time in the morning, Signing Time (she loves it). Which I’m not exactly happy about, but it’s working (for now). This gives me some quiet time to at least get the day started with C and read my scriptures (my saving grace).

But what I’ve come to find is that she wants to be involved. She wants to do what her brother’s are doing. She wants to learn and play along side them and with them. (The Good)

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She just needs direction! Now this involves more planning, but I think the end result is definitely worth it!

Tips for School with Tots

Have books available at their level. K likes animal books and touchy feely books. Have siblings do their reading aloud to the tot! K loves to have her brothers read to her. The ones that can’t read can point out animals and practice signs with her. Help her find items in search books. (She loves simple search books). Animal Hide & Seek is a great example of a touch and feel book that has a duck to find on each page!

Provide activities that are similar to what the others are doing. Let them participate. If you are painting, let them paint. If you are doing desk work, have activities they can do too.

Light Table – rotate the items available at the table

Fine motor activities like play dough, coloring, painting

One on One correspondence activities like puzzles, magnet pages

Hand-eye coordination activities like blocks and other stacking items

Plan some schooling activities around naps (if possible), the ones that need more of my attention or she can’t participate in…I do during nap time.

Here are a few activities I’ve made for baby/tots:

You can find more by searching the label TOT SCHOOL and LOTS more on my Pinterest Board!

Just a little bit of planning for the little ones and you are bound to have more GOOD days!! Of course not every day is perfect, and it will take some trial and error to find what best entertains your tot, BUT the ultimate result will aid your child in the love of learning and that’s worth every second spent!

Follow Jen @ Chestnut Grove Academy's board Things to do with the tot on Pinterest.